Lani je moj sin spraševal za možnost vegetarianske malice v šoli, rekli so, da ni možno, ker ne odgovarja standardom zdrave prehrane. Imam leto dni starega otroka, razmišljam o vrtcu, pa ne vem, če obstajajo vrtci, ki spoštujejo vegetariansko prehrano.Last year my son was asking about the possibility of the vegetarian snack in school, and they answered that this is not possible, because it does not correspond to the standards of healthy food.I have a year old child, i am thinking of a kindergarten, but i do not know if there are kindergartens that respect vegetarian food.

I think schools and kindergartens don't have the right to refuse vegetarian choice. It would be discrimination.And to say it is an unhealthy standart is a lie and a shame! Vegetarian diet is much healthier than eating meat. This has been agreed by most Medical Societies in the world since meat-eater tend to develop much more intestinal cancers than vegetarians.

If any school or kindergarten is refusing your son vegetarian choice in Slovenia, please let us know so that we contact the authorities and the Ombudsman.

All the best

Lama Shenpen Rinpoche---"For as long as space endures, And as long as living beings remain, Until then may I too abide, To dispel the misery of the world." (Arya Shantideva)

I think schools and kindergartens don't have the right to refuse vegetarian choice. It would be discrimination.And to say it is an unhealthy standart is a lie and a shame! Vegetarian diet is much healthier than eating meat. This has been agreed by most Medical Societies in the world since meat-eater tend to develop much more intestinal cancers than vegetarians.

If any school or kindergarten is refusing your son vegetarian choice in Slovenia, please let us know so that we contact the authorities and the Ombudsman.

I am very much in favour of vegetarianism, including from children, given that the adults provide large variety of food to balance the diet efficiently.

In the framework of vegetarianism, no problem. Cheese, and other dairy products, eventually eggs, are bringing all necessary elements for a health.In the case of veganism, it's more restrictive, and consequently more difficult to balance correctly. Some deficiencies can occur, especially in vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, iodine and omega-3 fatty acids. I'm not saying it's not possible to have a healthy vegan diet for children, but it's more delicate than vegetarian.

Indeed, it would help reduce the bad conditions of farming, poultry, and other way to bring animal products in our plates or as clothing...

If a lot of people were to become vegan, the society would provide a large range of products to replace. Then it would be ok. Nowadays, it's a bit complicated.

Lama Shenpen Rinpoche---"For as long as space endures, And as long as living beings remain, Until then may I too abide, To dispel the misery of the world." (Arya Shantideva)

If any school or kindergarten is refusing your son vegetarian choice in Slovenia, please let us know so that we contact the authorities and the Ombudsman.

English version:

There is an article about this in today's Dnevnik. They checked a few schools, some have around 40 vegetarians (out of 400 pupils). Some schools adapt others don't, so I guess there is no clear rule. OŠ Ledina has vegetarian snack, but no vegetarian lunch (since lunches are prepared elsewhere, where they don't cook vegetarian), some schools have both vegetarian options (OŠ Trnovo, OŠ Karel Destovnik Kajuh, OŠ Fužine - the latter without tofu and such "special foods").

The champion of anti-vegetarianism is the principal of OŠ Prule, Dušan Merc: "Special food needs are for us only needs, which are derived from health reasons, not out of world view or belief of the parents. We wouldn't prepare special meals even for extra payment. Food must be in accordance with the doctrine of eating, which is based on the needs of people, who are growing up."

Last time I checked the Constitution the right of parents to raise their children in accordance with their beliefs was above the opinion of a principal . Parents have the right to provide their children with a religious and moral upbringing in accordance with their beliefs (41st article). As long as both meat eating and vegetarian eating diet can be healthy for children, state should allow parents to choose among both options, no?

The opinion of the experts of the Paediatric clinic is that the institutions like kindergarden are not obliged to prepare or provide vegetarian food, since vegetarian food after the second year can be perhaps harmless under strict controlled and expensive preparation (while there are no scientific evidence that it is beneficial). In practice the structure (variety) of vegetarian food is often insufficient (lacking something) due to expert or economic reasons and as such even harmful for the health and that's why it is not recommended in general.(source: Opinion on the suitability of vegetarian food in educational-caring foundations, 32nd regular session of the RSK for paediatry, 24.5.06)

We should prepare an informational text to be sent to the Ministries of Health and of Education to correct this type of archaic way of thinking!
They are few decades behind! Vegetarianism has been proven to be beneficial (reduction of intestinal cancer for example), etc...

Draftman, a draft should be made!

Lama Shenpen Rinpoche---"For as long as space endures, And as long as living beings remain, Until then may I too abide, To dispel the misery of the world." (Arya Shantideva)

Sory, but this is just insane! Who is a moron "expert" who gave this stupid oppininon? I myself have lots of knowledge about nutritionism and I can guarante, that vegetarian food is just fine and healthy. My kid (2 years old) is pure vegetarian since he was in womb, and he doen't even eat any expencive suplementals or anything, just plain old natural vegetables, dairy producits and fruit and is much healthyer than most of meat eating kids, and even more than his parents, who gave up meat long after their childhood.